The Agate Hunter

Growing up spitting distance from the crashing and churning Pacific Ocean, Eddie Hall finds he has quite the talent for spotting agates. As his love for combing his favorite beaches grows, his eye and knowledge of nature sharpen. Despite his love for the shore, he feels a pull to find his course through life. As with most, it is a question of taking the lead or getting pushed from behind. Eddie is truly not sure where he wants to lead himself. But, through luck and hard work, he finds his way as a surveyor and meets the woman of his dreams. The two, deeply committed to each other, join a common path that leads across the United States and through Europe and Africa. But, as Eddie digs deeper into work, he finds himself entangled in dilemmas that his mind may try to ignore but that his heart can never forget. The more levels of corporate corruption Eddie uncovers, the more he realizes he must fight to make a difference. With the help of those close to him, Eddie uses his keen agate-hunting eyes to scan for any clues he can find to help bring the truth to the surface. ""John has woven a fascinating tale of a young life that, like an agate stone, will captivate you with its details and intricate layers of complexity and simple beauty. You will follow the light through the shadows of greed and power around the world in a story that keeps you searching for answers. Very satisfying."" --Renee Raffini, University of North Carolina-Asheville ""A riveting, suspenseful thriller! Enjoy Eddie Hall's perilous journey across three continents encountering and then trying to unveil a nefarious web of corporate land theft, drug trade, and human trafficking. You will cherish the enchanting places and engaging personalities for a long time! If you liked John LeCarre's A Constant Gardener, you will love this book."" --Steven Franzel, Senior Fellow, World Agroforestry Centre John Moehl was born in a small sawmill town in eastern Oregon, leaving the Pacific Northwest for the savannahs of Africa--starting as a Peace Corps volunteer and finishing nearly four decades later as a senior United Nations officer. Since his formal retirement and his return to his native Oregon, he has devoted his time to writing about the people and places he has known--the experiences he has encountered with the diverse array of individuals with whom he has shared the road.